### **Chapter 46: The Unseen Hand**
The next morning, the tension in the air was palpable. The sun had barely risen, casting long shadows across the stone corridors of the Blackthorn estate, but the three of them were already gathered, preparing for the day ahead.
Torin was the first to break the silence. "We've passed the trials, but it feels like something else is coming." He looked at Alara, hoping to see a glimpse of the woman he knew. But she was distant, her eyes far away, like she was caught in a place none of them could reach.
Rina leaned against the wall, her arms crossed, deep in thought. "Elias mentioned negotiations. He's not done with us yet. I don't think this was just a test of strength—it was a test of loyalty."
"Loyalty?" Torin scoffed. "We've proven that we can survive, but loyalty? I don't trust that man any more than I did before."
"You don't have to trust him," Alara finally spoke, her voice quiet but sharp. "But we need him, at least for now."
Her words hung in the air, heavy with an unspoken truth. They all knew Elias had the power and influence they needed to navigate the political and magical landscape of the Blackthorn family and beyond. But none of them could shake the feeling that aligning with him came with a price.
Before they could delve deeper into the conversation, the door to the room creaked open, and one of Elias's attendants entered—a woman with sharp features and cold eyes. She bowed slightly.
"Elias Blackthorn awaits your presence in the great hall," she said, her voice flat.
The trio exchanged glances, a silent agreement passing between them. There was no turning back now. They followed the attendant through the winding corridors, the air growing colder as they neared the heart of the estate.
When they entered the great hall, Elias was already seated at the head of a long, black marble table. His silver hair gleamed in the dim light, and his piercing eyes tracked their movements with the same calculating gaze he'd given them during the trials.
"Please," Elias gestured to the empty chairs across from him, "sit."
Torin, Alara, and Rina took their seats, their eyes never leaving Elias's. He leaned forward, resting his elbows on the table, fingers steepled in front of him.
"You've all passed my trials," he began, his voice smooth as silk. "But as I'm sure you've already guessed, that was merely the beginning."
Torin's jaw tightened. "Then what's next?"
Elias smiled faintly, a predator's smile. "What's next is simple. You've proven your strength, your conviction. Now, you will prove your usefulness."
"Useful how?" Rina asked, her voice cautious.
Elias waved his hand, and the air shimmered above the table. A map appeared, floating in midair, showing a detailed layout of the Blackthorn estate and the surrounding region. His eyes glinted as he spoke.
"There is a storm brewing. Not just within the Blackthorn family, but across the entire kingdom. The alliances that have held this land together are fraying, and soon, war will be inevitable. The Blackthorn family stands at the center of this storm, and I intend to make sure we emerge victorious."
Alara's eyes narrowed. "And you want us to help you win?"
Elias chuckled softly. "I want you to help me shift the balance of power. You see, the other families, the other factions—they think they're safe. They think they can outmaneuver me, outlast me. But they don't know what I have in my arsenal. Or rather, *who* I have."
His gaze settled on them, his meaning clear.
Torin leaned forward, his voice low. "What exactly do you expect us to do?"
Elias's smile widened. "I expect you to infiltrate, to gather intelligence, to strike where it hurts. There are key players in this game, players who hold far too much influence over the current political structure. They need to be… removed."
Rina's breath caught. "You want us to assassinate them?"
Elias shook his head. "Not all of them. Some are too valuable to kill outright. But we can weaken them. Expose their secrets, ruin their alliances, create division where there was once unity."
Alara was silent, her eyes fixed on the map. She could see the larger plan unfolding in her mind, the intricate web of power and influence Elias was spinning. He wasn't just playing for control of the Blackthorn family—he was playing for control of the entire kingdom.
"Why us?" Alara finally asked, her voice cold and measured. "You have plenty of assassins, spies, and soldiers at your disposal. Why bring us into this?"
Elias's eyes gleamed. "Because none of them possess what you do. You've already proven yourselves capable of surviving the trials, but more importantly, you're outsiders to the political games being played here. You have no personal stake, no allegiances to anyone but yourselves. That makes you unpredictable—and very dangerous."
Torin sat back, arms crossed. "So we're pawns in your game."
Elias shrugged. "Call it what you will. But pawns can become queens if they play their cards right."
Silence settled over the room as the trio absorbed his words. It was a dangerous offer, one that could get them killed or worse. But it was also an opportunity. If they played it right, they could carve out a place for themselves in this world—a place of power.
Rina glanced at Alara and Torin, reading their expressions. She could see the same conflict in their eyes that she felt. They didn't trust Elias, but they needed him. And if they were going to survive in this world, they couldn't afford to turn down his offer.
Finally, Alara spoke. "We'll help you. But we want something in return."
Elias arched an eyebrow. "And what is that?"
Alara's gaze was steady. "Freedom. When this is over, we walk away. No strings attached, no debts to be paid."
Elias considered her words for a moment, then nodded slowly. "Agreed. Help me secure the Blackthorn family's dominance, and I will see to it that you are free to do as you please when the time comes."
Rina wasn't sure whether to feel relieved or anxious. They had made a deal with a devil, and there was no telling how it would end. But for now, they had a path forward.
Elias rose from his chair, the map disappearing as he stood. "Good. Then we begin immediately."
He turned and walked toward the large double doors at the end of the hall, his voice echoing back to them as he left.
"Welcome to the game."
As the doors closed behind him, Torin let out a slow breath. "Well, that went better than I expected."
Alara, still staring at the place where the map had been, didn't respond. Her mind was already racing, considering the implications of what they had just agreed to. She knew Elias wouldn't keep his word easily. He was a man of schemes, of shadows.
But so was she.
Whatever the Blackthorn family had planned, Alara was determined to stay one step ahead.